LafayetteCountyC-I School District
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF LAFAYETTECOUNTYC-I SCHOOL DISTRICT
A philosophy of education is the foundation on which a school district is built and upon which the product of the school program is evaluated. The philosophy herein subscribed to be the LafayetteCountyC-I School District Board of Education shall be a guide in determining the policies, rules and regulations of the school district. Recognizing each student as a unique individual, we believe that education should provide an opportunity for the maximum development of each individual within the limitations of his capacities. Through education it is possible for the individual to discover the endeavor to achieve to the limits of his capacities. We believe that in a democratic society, education must help the student realize his worth as an individual and should lead him toward becoming a productive member of society. Strong emphasis must be placed upon democratic values, which are important for an effective and satisfying personal and social life. We believe that the role of the teacher in the educational process is to provide opportunities for the individual to achieve at the maximum level of his capacity, to create a learning situation in which individual motivation for learning is the stimulus for achievement, and to promote through teaching and example the principles of the democratic way of life. We believe that parents/guardians have definite responsibilities in education. They need to have a basic confidence in the school, and they need to impart this confidence to the students. The parents/guardians may do this by cooperating to the fullest with the schools, by encouraging the student to give his best efforts to his daily school responsibilities and by participating in school activities. We believe that the student must have responsibilities in the educational program of his community. Most important of these is attitude. The student is obliged to come with an open mind, equipped with all the necessary materials, ready to fulfill the responsibilities in the learning process. The basic attitude should be that the school is an institution of opportunity, staffed with trained personnel to help the student become a contributing member of society. We believe that the foundation of the district's educational program is based on the development of competencies in the basic fundamentals of reading, oral and written communication and mathematics. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the LafayetteCountyC-I School District to provide an educational environment for children of the district which will foster and accelerate their intellectual, physical, social and career development.
Mission Statement
The LafayetteCountyC-I School District will ensure the highest level of achievement for every member of the school community. This will be accomplished by a highly qualified staff using the best instructional practices. The District will provide a positive, safe environment including an ongoing system of assessment, support and character development.
Character Education
Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, the Lafayette County C-1 School District introduced the concept of character education as a district wide initiative for students and faculty. The inspiration for this program came from a program called CHARACTERplus. Started in 1988 by a group of parents, educators, and business leaders, CHARACTERplus addresses the deterioration of basic values among school age individuals through partnerships between parents, schools, and the community.
The Lafayette County C-1 Middle School staff continues to reinforce character development through the use of a building wide character education program that emphasizes the Lafayette County C-1 character education traits of the month.
Character Traits
September Respect, showing consideration for self, others and property
October Responsibility, being dependable and doing your part
November Citizenship, showing character and conduct that is a credit to self, school and community
December Compassion, understanding and caring for the feelings of others
January Self-esteem, believing in yourself and your abilities
February Tolerance, being non-judgmental of the uniqueness of others
March Integrity, being honest, trustworthy and standing up for what is right
April Accountability, taking ownership of your actions and behaviors
Lafayette County C-1 Middle School Expectations
At Lafayette County C-1, Middle Schools students are expected to:
Be Prepared
Be Respectful
Be Accountable
Be Safe
Be Responsible
Treat others as you want to be treated
Work in a positive way to be successful
When students enter the building we expect them to:
Be prepared to start the day
Respond / Greet adults and other students appropriately
Follow established morning protocol
Display appropriate school behavior / dress
When students are in class we expect them to:
Be respectful (to self, others, property)
Be responsible (have materials – be on task)
Participate
Have self control (self discipline)
When students are in the hallways (between classes) we expect them to:
Keep hands / bodies to self
Move with a purpose
Be courteous
Be positive
Use Indoor voices
When students are at lunch (going to lunch) we expect them to:
Walk down the hallway without talking
Walk in single file
Walk on the right hand side of the hallway
Enter the south door (and exit north door)
While in the lunch room:
Line up again the north or south WALL
Sit with assigned class
Talk quietly
Use good table manners
Clean up after yourself
Scrape tray when finished eating
When leaving the building we expect students to:
Leave through the appropriate door
Hands to themselves, be safe
Take their homework and necessary books with them
Wait until they are out the doors before using cell phones or wearing hats
When students are at school activities / functions they are expected to:
Display appropriate school behavior at event/activity
Be a supportive involved fan/spectator for the event
Show respect for all citizens, performers, and the facilities they are at/in.
The students need to be in compliance with the handbook guidelines that apply (dress code, language, etc.)
LAFAYETTE COUNTY C-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Tim Biesemeyer...... President
Rich Cole...... Vice-President
Janet Ritzinger...... Secretary
Karen Green (Non Member)...... Treasurer
Alan Bear...... Member
Brian Cornelius...... Member
Ellis Dieckhoff...... Member
Mark Nolte...... Member
ADMINISTRATION
David Lawrence...... Superintendent
Joe Mintner...... High School Principal
Darrell Jeffries...... Assistant HS Principal
Gary Wheeler...... Middle School Principal
Ginger Cochran...... Grandview Principal
Christy Harrison...... Assistant GV Principal
Janet Jones...... Director of SpServices
Cheryl Bueker...... Admin Secretary
Karen Green...... Admin Bookkeeper
Sharon Tuttle...... Middle School Secretary
MIDDLE SCHOOL STAFF
Beale, Pat...... Math
Boedeker, Rhonda...... Art/Computers
Cook, Sarah...... Choir/Vocal
Copenhaver, Barb...... Science
Davenport, Bill...... Custodian
Forsee, Tyler...... Physical Ed/Health/Safety
Frerking, Carolyn...... Paraprofessional
Fuller, Marybeth...... Gifted Education (R.I.S.E.)
Gilcrest, Carrie...... School Registered Nurse
Goetz, Gary...... Maintenance Supervisor
Goodman, Mary...... Family and Consumer Science
Gosoroski, Lester...... Custodian
Homfeld, Carol...... Paraprofessional
Leonard, Felicia...... Custodian
Lettau, Cheryl...... Special Education
Lilleman, Gail...... Special Education
Lynch, Melanie...... Special Education
MacLean, David...... Math
Miller, Mary...... Paraprofessional
Moore, Travis...... Social Studies
Rasa, Nicci...... Focus Room
Rhoad, Emily...... Science
Rogers, Eric...... Industrial Technology
Rogers, Mandy...... Physical Ed/Health/Safety
Ruth, Lauri...... Guidance Counselor
Sears, Shelly...... Physical Ed/Health/Safety
Sellman, Janelle...... Communication Arts/Reading
Snapp, Annette...... Communication Arts/Reading
Summers, Michele...... MS Counselor’s Secretary
Sutherland, Megan...... Grade 6 Communication Arts/Reading
Thieman, Amy C...... Social Studies
Vanderhoff, Bill...... Library & MediaCenter
Wardell, Amy...... Instrumental Music
Wyatt, Kristal...... School-Based Social Worker
Agenda
A student agenda (planner) will be given to each student on the first day of school. The agenda is a method of communication between school and home. The student agenda should be treated as a textbook. A $6 dollar replacement cost will be charged if the agenda needs to be replaced if lost, stolen, defaced, or damaged. Students are expected to fill out agendas daily. Parents/caregivers are expected to check the agenda nightly for assignments and teacher communications. In addition, the agenda will be used as a hall pass and must be taken to every class. A student will not be allowed to leave class without an agenda.
Arriving at School
The following are procedures for arriving at school. Students will use the Front Entrance doors only. All students who arrive before 7:15 will wait in the front vestibule. At 7:15 students will be allowed to go to study assistance (open at 7:15) or other supervised areas.
Upon arrival students have 3 choices:
1.Gym: While in the gym before school, students may visit quietly. They may also work on homework. However, students should be reminded that work is expected to be done by the individual unless it is an assigned group project. Cheating will not be tolerated.
2.Breakfast: Students choosing to eat breakfast may do so beginning at 7:30. Go directly to the cafeteria. Guidelines for behavior are the same as those for lunch. Return to the middle school immediately when done eating. Middle school students are not allowed to hang out in the high school halls
3.Study Assistance
(Note: All band students may take their instrument to the band room before making one of the 3 choices above.)
Morning locker stops should be approved by a teacher. Students are not allowed in the hallways without permission or without supervision prior to 7:50. Students will be dismissed to the hallways at 7:50 and must be in class by 8:00 or will be counted tardy.
Leaving School
To ensure student safety, proper procedures must be followed at the dismissal of school. Bus riders must exit through the front middle school doors. Car riders and bike riders must exit through the west gym doors. If leaving school early, students must sign out in the office. If returning before the end of the school day, students must also sign back into the office. Middle school students are not allowed at the high school at any time before, during or after school unless under the direct supervision of a teacher, or written permission has been obtained through the office. Exceptions: going to and from the cafeteria, library, and assigned classrooms.
School and Class Tardiness
The following policy concerning tardies will be used. All students arriving at school after 8:00 a.m., or are present but do not report to their first block class on time, must report directly to the office for a tardy slip. Students will be required to serve an 8th hour (one hour of after school time) for the 4th Unexcused Tardy they receive from the office and from each individual class. Tardies begin at zero each quarter. An additional 8th hour will be required to be served for each additional tardy after the 4th one for the remainder of the quarter. In the event that a student’s tardiness results in multiple 8th hours or 8th hours are not served as required, ISS or other comparable disciplinary action will be assigned as determined by the principal.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE POLICY (Board Policy 2310)
The Board of Education believes that regular attendance is essential to achieving success in school. Education is a total process based upon continual communication and shared responsibilities among parents, students, teachers and school. As students mature and progress through the educational system, they should increasingly assume responsibility for regular attendance. However, parents have a legal and moral responsibility to require regular attendance at school. One of the key factors in student success is regular school attendance. It is the parent’s responsibility to see that their child attends school as required by law. Parents who fail to do this are guilty of educational neglect. When a student is absent, it is the responsibility of the parents/caregivers to call the school office on the day of the absence. If a parent wishes their child to leave during the school day, a parent or legal representative is required to sign the student out. Students are allowed to miss up to 10 days of school per semester, or 10 absences in any one class period, not counting classes missed for field trips or other school sponsored events. These 10 absences include both excused and unexcused absences.
Student Attendance Procedures:
We believe, as parents and school personnel, that attendance at school is important. We believe when a student misses school, he/she is missing something valuable. The following is the policy for reporting absences.
1. Daily Absence reporting:
- The parent calls the school, 584-7161, to report any absence by 9:00 a.m. for each day the student is absent.
- If the student is going to the doctor, they must bring a note from the doctor on the first day they return following the absence.
- Five Day Absence Reporting:
- When the student’s absences from one or all classes reach five (5) days in one semester, the school will send a letter to the parents. The letter serves as a reminder and notification that when ten (ten) days absences are reached, the student’s parents must contact the middle school principal and may be required to meet with the Building Attendance Review Board.
- Ten Day Absence Reporting:
- When the student’s absences from one or all classes reach ten (10) days in one semester, the school will send a letter to the parents.
- At that time, the parents must contact the middle school principal and may be requested to attend a meeting with the Building attendance Review Board.
- The principal will evaluate the days of absence and notify the parents of any absence or extraordinary circumstance not to be included in the ten (10) days such as:
- Illness, when the nurse has sent the student home ill (that day only).
- Doctor and dentist’s appointments.
- To be accepted, a Dr. excuse must be submitted to the office upon the student’s return toschool.
- Half day for drivers test.
- One college-visit day per year for seniors only.
- Death in the immediate family.
Those absences counted in the eleven days include but are not limited to illness, oversleeping, being out of town, missing the bus, not picked up for a ride to school, family vacations, poor weather, needed at home, personal reasons, and out-of-school suspensions.
If the parent or the student desires to appeal the decision of the building attendance committee, they must complete their portion of the Student Appeal for Regular Attendance Status form and return it to their attendance office within six (6) days of their Building Attendance Review Board meeting.
- Review Board Meeting: The above mentioned appeal may be granted if: The appeal form has been completed and returned to the attendance office by the due date specified, attendance after the eleven day limit has been satisfactory, the student has supplied reasons for each absence in question, or appropriate doctors’ notes have been filed for the days in question.
Perfect Attendance
Definition: Cumulatively missing LESS THAN ONE FULL DAY no matter the reason.
Truancy
Students who are absent from school without the knowledge and consent of their parents or guardians or administration, or students whose parents fail to follow procedures for reporting an absence, or students who leave school without the consent of the principal shall be considered truant. Students are subject to the district discipline code as it applies to truancy, and parents/guardians will be notified. Truancy will be referred to the Lafayette County Juvenile Office.
Grading
Our grading system is A, B, C, D, and F. Minuses may be given on all grades except F and pluses may be given on all grades except A's and F's. An "L" indicates a delayed grade.
All teachers should use the following standardized grade scale:
100-94 A
93-90A-
89-87B+
86-83B
82-80B-
79-77C+
76-73C
72-70C-
69-67D+
66-63D
62-60D-
59- 0F
Cheating/Plagiarism Policy*
First Offense: Automatic zero (0) on that assignment or test for all people involved. Documented on an office referral form. Student will be notified, due process given, and a copy if necessary will be mailed home.
2ndOffense: Automatic zero (0) on assignment and ISS. Documented on an office referral form. Student will be notified, due process given, and a copy will be mailed home. 3rd Offense: Automatic zero (0) on assignment and up to three days OSS. Documented on an office referral form. Student will be notified, due process given, and a copy will be mailed home. *(See discipline code.)
Honor Roll
Those students receiving a straight B- or better average will be eligible for the B Honor Roll. Those students receiving a straight A- or better average will be eligible for the A Honor Roll. Students making a grade below a C- will not be eligible for either Honor Roll. Honor Roll and grade point average are determined through a strict numerical method. Honor Roll is based on quarter (not semester) grades. An awards assembly will be held on a quarterly basis to recognize student achievements.
A = 3.66 percent or better B = 2.66 to 3.66 percent
Homework Policy/Classwork Notices
Students are expected to complete assignments. Parents will be notified as needed. Please see ZAP PLAN below for procedures for missing and late assignments.
Make-Up Work
Students will be allowed to make-up all work until they have reached 10 absences (per semester) from school or any one class, unless the absence is classified as truancy or the student is under suspension. Parents wanting homework assignments collected for a student who is absent must call the middle school office by 9:00 a.m. if they with to pick them up that same day. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange for make-up work the day they return from an absence.
ZAP PLAN
Purpose: The purpose of this plan is to reduce the number of missing and incomplete assignments and to reduce the number of failing students at the Middle School. The ZAP (Zeros Aren’t Permissible) Plan applies to all students at the MS. All students will be responsible for completing all in class or homework assignments (unless adapted or modified by an IEP). A ZAP is the notice of a beginning step of a process to hold all students accountable for all academic assignments they are missing or are incomplete. Procedure: